Apparel with wireless-powered sensors

ABSTRACT

An article of apparel, system, and methods optionally include a textile material, a mobile device holder, coupled to the textile material, configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel, and an electrical system. The electrical system includes an antenna, configured to communicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, positioned in relation to the holder, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna, a controller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power as output by the power supply, and a sensor, coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor, configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/168,058, filed on May 29, 2015, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to an article ofapparel including sensors that are powered by a wireless signal.

BACKGROUND

Articles of apparel, such as shirts, pants, hats, shoes, and the like,are conventionally and advantageously some or all of comfortable,washable, and robust. As a result, such articles of apparel haveconventionally been made substantially of fabrics and other textiles.Articles of apparel often include pockets or other mechanisms to secureobjects to or with respect to the article of apparel, typicallyfashioned out of the same or similar fabrics as those used in the restof the article of apparel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an article of apparel, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed depiction of a mobile device holder in relation toan antenna, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an abstract, side profile depiction of a mobile device assecured by a holder, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical system of an article ofapparel, in an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an example of a holder in relation to multiple antennas, in anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for using an article of apparel, in an exampleembodiment

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for making an article of apparel, in an exampleembodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems are directed to apparel withwireless-powered sensors. Examples merely typify possible variations.Unless explicitly stated otherwise, components and functions areoptional and may be combined or subdivided, and operations may vary insequence or be combined or subdivided. In the following description, forpurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will beevident to one skilled in the art, however, that the present subjectmatter may be practiced without these specific details.

As a result of a general need to be washable, comfortable, and robust,articles of apparel have in the past only infrequently incorporatedelectronics elements. In particular, electronics are well-known to besusceptible to water, such as from the elements, washing, or humansweat. As such, articles of apparel that do incorporate electronics mayrequire measures, such as conventional waterproofing, to protect thecomponents against moisture.

However, such measures may suffer from a certain vulnerability inparticular: electronics often require a physical electronic interfacefor one or more of a source of power and an ability to transmit and/orreceive data, among other inputs or outputs from the electronics.Conventionally, such interfaces are wired which may inevitably present avulnerability through which moisture may enter the system. Steps thatmay be taken to protect such physical interfaces from moisture mayresult in the article of apparel being relatively less robust, owing tothe potential for the mechanical breakdown of the moisture protection,and less comfortable, owing to the bulkiness or rigidity of suchprotection.

An article of apparel has been developed that provides for the wirelesstransmission of power and data to operate sensors and other electronicspositioned in or on the article of apparel. The article of apparelincludes a pocket or other securing mechanism to position and retain amobile device, such as a smartphone or similar piece of electronics, inrelation to an antenna, such as a near field communication (NFC)antenna. The antenna may establish a wireless link between the mobiledevice and the antenna, providing power to the sensors and receivingdata from the sensors.

As such, the article of apparel does not necessarily utilize an internalpower source as power may be provided by the mobile device. Theelectronics in the article of apparel may be fully waterproofed with nodirect contact electromechanical interface. As a result, the article ofapparel may be readily washable and substantially impervious to theelements during normal use while still generating and providing sensordata.

FIG. 1 is an article of apparel 100, in an example embodiment. Asillustrated, the article of apparel 100 is a shirt but various examplesmay include any garment or other article that may be worn on orotherwise secured to a body of a person or other animal.

The article of apparel 100 includes an antenna 102 configured forwireless communication with a primary antenna. The wirelesscommunication may be according to near field communication (NFC)standards and practices, including in the 13.56 megahertz (MHz) banaccording to the ISO/IEC 18000-3 standard promulgated in 2010 oraccording to any other suitable wireless communication standard that hasbeen or may be developed.

The antenna may be coupled to or be a part of an NFC tag 104. The NFCtag 104 may include an electronic data storage, controller, transceiver,power source, and various other electronics needed or suitable for NFCcommunications. The tag 104 is passively powered and derives itsoperational energy from the wireless signal received from the antenna102. In various examples, the tag 104 may be or may be replaced with anysuitable electronics that are configured to receive power from a mobiledevice and transmit data to an external receiver.

The tag 104 is coupled to sensors 106 via conductors 108. The sensors106 are positioned in various locations on the article of apparel 100and may be configured to sense various conditions. Various numbers andpositions of sensors 106 are contemplated as appropriate for theconditions sensed by the sensors. In various examples, the sensors 106include one or more of motion sensors, moisture sensors, heat sensors,heart rate sensors, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors, and othersuitable sensors that are known in the art or that may be developed.Each sensor 106 detects a sensor condition dependent on a respectivesensor type; thus, the sensor condition of a motion sensor is motion,and so forth. Each sensor 106 outputs a sensor signal indication of thesensor condition as sensed.

In various examples, the conductors 108 are secured with respect to amaterial 110 that forms a substantial majority of the overall structureof the article of apparel 100. The material 110, such as a textilematerial, may include multiple and varied individual pieces of fabric orother materials stitched or otherwise secured with respect to oneanother to form the basic architecture of the article of apparel 100. Assuch, the material 110 is not necessarily a unitary component but rathermay incorporate any and all materials that may be utilized in apparelgenerally, including textiles, leather, rubber, synthetic fabrics, andthe like, and may be secured with respect to one another according toany of a variety of securing mechanisms, including stitching, glue,welding, and fasteners in general.

The conductors 108 may be secured with respect to the material 110according to any of a variety of mechanisms. In examples where thematerial is a woven material, such as a fabric or textile in general,the conductors 108 may be incorporated into a weave of the material 110.In an example, the conductors 108 may be woven into the material 110 atthe time of the manufacture of the material 110. Additionally oralternatively, the conductors 108 may be included in or along a seam ofthe material 110. Additionally or alternatively, the conductors 108 maybe molded or otherwise secured within a synthetic material, such as aplastic or polymer, at the time of manufacture of the material 110.Additionally or alternatively, the conductors 108 may be attached orotherwise secured to a surface of the material 110 with fasteners, suchas with thread, glue, and/or other suitable fasteners.

As illustrated, the conductors 108 are secured with respect to thematerial 110 so as to allow the conductors 108 to stretch, bend, flex,and otherwise conform to and retain resiliency during similar movementsof the underling material 110. The conductors 108 of the illustratedexample are secured in a “W” or saw tooth configuration to allow forstretching and bending along a long axis of the conductor 108. Anyadditional configuration that promotes or at least allows forstretching, bending, flexing, and the like may be implemented inaddition or alternative to the illustrated configuration. Additionallyor alternatively, the conductor 108 itself may stretch and readily flex,in which case the conductor 108 may, in a relaxed state, tracerelatively straight lines between points on the material 110.

The antenna 102, tag 104, sensors 106, and conductor 108 may function asa self-contained electrical system (FIG. 4) that is waterproof andotherwise mechanically isolated from environmental conditions. Thus, invarious examples, the electrical system does not incorporate exposed orintentionally exposable electrical contacts or other connection points.The components of the electrical system in general may be coated withsuitable materials that may provide for waterproofing and forenvironmental isolation in general.

The article of apparel 100 further includes a mobile device holder 112configured to seat and secure a mobile device having a primary antennaconfigured to communicate with the antenna 102. The mobile device may bea conventional mobile device known in the art, such as a smartphone, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), media player, or any consumer orcustom device that includes a primary antenna (FIG. 3) and a powersource configured to supply power to the primary antenna.

FIG. 2 is a detailed depiction of the mobile device holder 112 inrelation to the antenna 102, in an example embodiment. The holder 112 isattached to or otherwise part of the material 110 so that the primaryantenna of the mobile device is positioned with respect to the antenna102 to facilitate wireless communication between the primary antenna andthe antenna 102. As illustrated, the holder 112 is directly over theantenna 102. Various additional examples may have the holder 112 offsetwith respect to the antenna 102 in such a way as to still allow forwireless communication. Further, additional antennas 102 of the sametype as the antenna 102 may be incorporated into the article of apparel100 and positioned to further facilitate wireless communication asappropriate. Thus, for instance, a first antenna 102 may be positionedas illustrated while a second antenna 102 may be positioned offset withrespect to the holder 112.

Further, various antennas 102 of differing types may be incorporated toallow for or otherwise facilitate communication and power transfer in avariety of different wireless bands and according to a variety ofwireless communication modalities. Thus, one or more additional antennasmay be incorporated that is configured to communicate in ultra-highfrequency (UHF) bands, e.g., at approximately 900 MHz, among otherbands. The additional antennas may be substantially co-located with theantenna 102, either closely adjacent to or partially overlapping theantenna 102, or may be positioned anywhere on the article of apparel 102as appropriate.

The holder 112 of the illustrated example forms a pocket into which amobile device may be inserted through a top opening 114 and retained bya friction fit of a pocket material 116. The pocket material 116 may bethe same as the material 110 or may be a second material different thanthe material 110. In an example, the pocket material 116 is an elasticmaterial configured to conform to and secure the mobile device. Invarious examples, if the material 110 is sufficiently elastic to retainthe mobile device securely then the material 110 may be utilized as thepocket material 116. However, if the material 110 is insufficientlyelastic then an alternative elastic material may be utilized as thepocket material 116 instead.

The holder 112 further includes an interface opening 118 configured toallow a user of the mobile device, such as a wearer of the article ofapparel 100, to interface with the mobile device. For instance, inexamples where the mobile device is a smartphone with a touchscreeninterface, the user may interact with the user interface of the mobiledevice through the interface opening 118 of the holder 112. Theinterface opening 118 may be entirely empty or devoid of any interfacematerial or may incorporate a covering material that may neverthelesspermit interaction with a touchscreen user interface of the mobiledevice, as known in the art.

Various alternative examples of the holder 112 include, as analternative to or in addition to the pocket as illustrated, brackets,cinches, straps, or any mechanical device that that may secure, attach,or otherwise retain the mobile device with respect to the antenna 102and to the article of apparel 100 generally. Furthermore, while theholder 112 is depicted as being positioned on the sleeve of the articleof apparel 100, it is to be recognized and understood that the antenna102 and the holder 112 may be repositioned to any of a variety ofpositions on the article of apparel 100, in which case the constructionof the holder 112 may or may not advantageously change or otherwise beconfigured to reflect the location of the holder 112. Thus, for instanceif the holder 112 were positioned on the shoulder of the article ofapparel 100 the holder 112 may be or may incorporate straps that securethe mobile device with a friction fit rather than or in addition to thepocket as illustrated. Further, additional structure may be added asnecessary or desired to secure the mobile device and provide acomfortable wearing experience for a wearer of the article of apparel100.

As illustrated, the antenna 102 is a coil antenna configured tocommunicate according to an NFC modality. It is noted and emphasizedthat the antenna 102 may be an etched antenna configured to communicateaccording to NFC or may be any other antenna configuration configured tocommunicate according to any other wireless communication modality. Theantenna 102 has a major surface 200 that is parallel to a major surfaceof the material 110. The holder 112 is configured to bring the primaryantenna of the mobile device into substantial alignment with the antenna102 by placing a major surface of the primary antenna substantiallyparallel with the major surface 200 of the antenna 102.

FIG. 3 is an abstract, side profile depiction of a mobile device 300 assecured by the holder 112, in an example embodiment. The mobile device300 includes a primary antenna 302 and a transceiver that is configuredto communicate over the same frequency band and according to the samecommunication modality as the antenna 102. In circumstances where themobile device 300 has more than one antenna, such as where the mobiledevice 300 is a smartphone configured to communicative via cellularmodalities, Bluetooth, and the like, the article of apparel 100 mayincorporate multiple antennas configured to communicate according tothose additional modalities and/or the antenna 102 and tag 104 may beconfigured to communicate over one or more of those bands and accordingto one or more of those modalities as well as according to the band andmodality as disclosed herein, e.g., NFC.

As illustrated, the mobile device 300 is secured within the holder 112so as to place the primary antenna 302 in substantial alignment with theantenna 102. Alignment may be assessed in any dimension, includingabsolute proximity. Substantial alignment does not require maximizedproximity between the primary antenna 302 and the antenna 102. In anexample, the antennas 102, 302 may be considered to be in substantialalignment if a center 304 of the primary antenna 302 is within onecentimeter of the antenna 102. Additionally or alternatively, theantennas 102, 302 may be considered in alignment if the antennas 102,302 are able to communicate with one another. Thus, in various examples,the holder 112 is configured to provide alignment that is moresubstantial than mere basic connectivity and communication. However, itis to be understood that various examples of the holder 112 in relationto the antenna 102 may not necessarily provide for better than basicalignment of the antennas 102, 302.

Additionally or alternatively, the antenna 102 and the primary antenna302 each have a major axis 306, 308 projecting from their respectivecenters 304. The antenna 102 and the primary antenna 302 may beconsidered to be in substantial alignment when the axes 306, 308 aresubstantially coaxial. In an example, the axes 306, 308 aresubstantially coaxial when the axes 306, 308 are within approximatelyone (1) centimeter of one another.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electrical system 400 of the article ofapparel 100, in an example embodiment. The electrical system 400includes the antenna 102 and various blocks included in the tag 104,including, but not limited to, a power supply 402, a controller 404, andan electronic data storage 406. The power supply 402 and the controller404 are coupled via the conductor 108 to the sensor 106. Additionally oralternatively, the antenna 102 may further be a component of the tag104, forming an integrated RFID tag.

As illustrated, the example electrical system 400 includes no long-termpower source, such as a battery, super capacitor, and the like. Rather,the electrical system 400 is a passive system and components of theelectrical system 400 operate when a current is induced in the antenna102 by the mobile device 300 and the primary antenna 302. The powersupply 402 rectifies and coverts the current to a voltage suitable foroperation of the various components of the electrical system 400. Assuch, in the illustrated example, not only the components of the tag 104but also the sensors 106 operate when the mobile device 300 hasestablished a wireless link with the antenna 102, and in variousexamples only when the mobile device 300 has established a wireless linkwith the antenna 102.

In various examples, power storage elements, such as batteries, supercapacitors, and the like may be included in the electrical system 400 toprovide a long term source of power for the electrical system 400. Insuch an example, the electrical system 400 may still function accordingto the various other principles disclosed herein and may optionallystill obtain system power from the current induced in the antenna 102.In such examples, the current induced in the antenna 102 may rechargesuch a power source or supplement the power provided by the powersource. However, it is emphasized that examples are explicitlycontemplated in which no long term power storage is included in theelectrical system 400.

The electrical system 400 is isolated from environmental conditions byan environmental barrier 408. The environmental barrier 408 may be madefrom or may include an encapsulant, such as a silicone rubber or othersimilar material, that may be molded, brushed, or otherwise applied tothe various components of the electrical system 400. Additionally oralternatively, the environmental barrier may be or may include a casingor other structure in which some or all of the components of theelectrical system 400 may be enclosed.

As illustrated, the environmental barrier 408 thus fully orsubstantially isolates the electrical system 400 from water and/or otherenvironmental contaminants, such as elements that are or may becorrosive to electronics. Even if the environmental barrier 408 mayunintentionally degrade over time owing to normal use and washing of thearticle of apparel 100, the environmental barrier 408 as initiallyconstituted includes no intentional ingress or egress points forenvironmental elements. The sensors 106 may constitute an exceptionwhere measuring an environmental condition is integral to the operationof the sensor, such as a moisture sensor. However, such sensors 106 maynevertheless incorporate their own environmental isolation that would,without unintended deterioration, isolate the rest of the electricalsystem 400 from environmental conditions.

The sensors 106 are coupled via the conductor 108 to the controller 404.Data that is generated by the sensors 106 may, when the controller ispowered, be manipulated and stored in the electronic data storage 406and/or transmitted via the antenna 102 to the mobile device 300 or otherdevice that may be within range of the antenna 102. The controller 404may transmit the sensor data by modulating the current induced in theantenna 102 according to conventional communication modalities that arecompatible with the antenna 102 and mobile device 300. While notillustrated, the electrical system 100 may incorporate a dedicatedtransceiver block configured to modulate the current in the antenna 102to transmit data and to detect modulations in the current induced by themobile device 300 to transmit data to the electrical system 400. Themodulation as detected may be sent as data to the controller 404.

The sensors 106 are further illustrated as being coupled to the powersource 402 directly via a second conductor 108′. The second conductor108′ may optionally be implemented for active sensors 106 that utilizeexternal power to generate sensor data. The sensor data may then betransmitted to the controller 404 via the conductor 108. The secondconductor 108′ may be co-located with and routed alongside the conductor108, as illustrated herein. Sensors 106 that are not active sensors maynot incorporate the second conductor 108′. While the second conductor108′ is illustrated with particularity, it is to be recognized andunderstood that any number of conductors may be implemented asappropriate and necessary to operate the various sensors 106.

FIG. 5 is an example of the holder 112 in relation to multiple antennas500, in an example embodiment. The antennas 500 may be or may includethe antenna 102. The antennas 500 are secured to the material 110 withrespect to the holder 112 to facilitate communication between at leastone of the antennas 500 and the primary antenna 302 of the mobile device300. The antennas 500 include antennas of varying types configured tocommunicate according to varying wireless communication modalities, asdisclosed herein.

In an example, coil antennas 500A are substantially overlapped by theholder 112, which is configured to bring the coil antennas 500A intoclose alignment with the primary antenna 302 of the mobile device 300.The coil antenna 500A may be configured to communicate according to afirst communication modality, such as an NFC modality. The use ofmultiple coil antennas 500A may increase a likelihood of the primaryantenna 302 being in substantial alignment with at least one antenna500A irrespective of the position of the primary antenna 302 in themobile device 300. Thus, the holder 112 and the article of apparel 100in general may be configured to seat and interface with multiple makesand models of mobile devices 300.

The antennas 500 further include a dipole antenna 500B. The dipoleantenna 500B is simplified as illustrated and it is to be understoodthat the dipole antenna 500B may be any antenna configured tocommunicate according to a second communication modality different thanthe first communication modality, such as any of a variety of wirelesscommunication modalities, including but not limited to UHF, Bluetooth,and other modalities. As illustrated, the dipole antenna 500B is offsetwith respect to the holder 112 and does not overlap the holder 112generally. In such an example, the dipole antenna 500B being offset maysave space on the material 110 proximate the holder 112 while stillmaintaining communicative coupling between the dipole antenna 500B andthe primary antenna 302. It is noted and emphasized that the dipoleantenna 500B in particular, and the antennas 500 generally, are notnecessarily offset with respect to the holder 112 and that, if spacepermits, all of the antennas 500 may overlap the holder 112. However,various antennas 500 may be offset with respect to the holder 112 whilestill maintaining the capacity to communicatively couple to the primaryantenna 302.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 for using the article of apparel 100, in anexample embodiment.

At 602, a mobile device 300 is secured by the holder 112 such that aprimary antenna 302 of the mobile device 300 is in alignment with theantenna 102.

At 604, the mobile device 300 energizes the primary antenna 302,inducing a current in the antenna 102 which is passed to the powersupply 402. To the extent that the mobile device 300 ceases to inducethe current in the antenna 102, the remaining operations of theflowchart 600 terminate effectively immediately for lack of operatingpower.

At 606, the power supply 402 converts the current as received from theantenna 102 into power to operate the controller 404 and the sensors 106and transmits the power at least to the controller 404 and, in anexample, to the sensors 106 as well.

At 608, the sensors 106 obtain sensor data and transmit the sensor datato the controller 404.

At 610, the controller 404 receives the sensor data and formats thesensor data in a form that can be stored in the electronic data storage406 and/or transmitted to the primary device 300.

At 612, the controller 404 determines if the sensor data, as formatted,should be transmitted to the mobile device 300. The determination may bemade based on a command from the primary device 300, a subroutineexecuted by the controller 404 that causes the controller 404 totransmit the sensor data both received and as stored in the electronicdata storage 406, or a subroutine executed by the controller 404 thatcauses the sensor data to be streamed to the mobile device 300 as thesensor data is received and formatted by the controller 404.

At 614, if the controller 404 causes the sensor data to be transmittedto the primary device 300, transmitter circuitry that may, in variousembodiments, be a component of the power supply 402 or the controller404 modulates the current in the antenna 102 according to the sensordata as formatted which results in a current in the primary coil 302similarly being modulated in a way that allows for the sensor data to beread in the mobile device 300.

At 616, the controller 404 may store the sensor data as formatted in theelectronic data storage 406. In operation 614, the controller 404 mayaccess the sensor data as stored in the electronic data storage 406 andtransmit the sensor data as accessed to the primary device 300. Theflowchart 600 may then return to operation 606 for as long as thecurrent is induced in the antenna 102, terminating when the current isno longer induced in the antenna 102, either because the mobile device300 ceases inducing a current in the primary antenna 302 or because theprimary antenna 302 is taken out of alignment with the antenna 102,e.g., because the primary device is removed from or otherwise becomesunsecured with respect to the holder 112.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 for making the article of apparel 100, in anexample embodiment.

At 702, an antenna configured to communicatively couple with a primaryantenna of a mobile device, is secured with respect to textile materialof an article of apparel. In an example, securing the antenna is at alocation on the textile material that is overlapped, at least in part,by a mobile device holder. In an example, securing the antenna at thelocation on the textile material is such that, when the mobile device issecured in the mobile device holder, the primary antenna of the mobiledevice is in alignment with the antenna.

In an example, the antenna has an antenna major surface and the primaryantenna has a primary antenna major surface, and wherein securing theantenna and the coupling the holder causes the primary antenna of themobile device to be in alignment with the antenna when positioned in theholder such that the major surfaces are substantially parallel withrespect to one another. In an example, the antenna has a primary axisand the primary antenna has a primary axis, and wherein securing theantenna and the coupling the holder causes the primary antenna to be inalignment with the antenna when the primary axes are substantiallycoaxial.

In an example, securing the antenna includes securing a plurality ofantennas, including the antenna, with respect to the textile material,the plurality of antennas being secured to the textile material withrespect to the holder such that the primary antenna is communicativelycoupleable with at least one of the plurality of antennas whenpositioned in the holder. In an example, the plurality of antennasinclude a first antenna configured to communicate according to a firstcommunication modality and a second antenna configured to communicateaccording to a second communication modality different than the firstcommunication modality. In an example, securing the plurality ofantennas include securing at least one of the plurality of antennassubstantially overlapped by the holder and at least one of the pluralityof antennas is not substantially overlapped by the holder.

At 704, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, is secured with respectto the textile material, the power supply configured to output powerbased on a current as generated in the antenna when communicativelycoupled with the primary antenna.

At 706, a controller is secured with respect to the textile material,the controller coupled to the power supply and operable based on thepower as output by the power supply. In an example, the controller isconfigured to receive the sensor signal and transmit data indicative ofthe sensor signal to the mobile device via the antenna.

At 708, a sensor is secured with respect to the textile material, thesensor coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to thecontroller via a conductor and configured to detect a sensor conditionand output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the powersupply.

At 710, an electronic data storage of the electrical system is securedwith respect to the textile material and wherein the controller isconfigured to store data indicative of the sensor signal in theelectronic data storage. In an example, the controller is configured tostore data received from the mobile device via the antenna in theelectronic data storage. In an example, the controller is configured totransmit data stored in the electronic data storage to the mobile devicevia the antenna.

Some or all of 702, 704, 706, 708, and 710 may occur concurrently wherethe relevant components are components of a single RFID tag 104. In suchan example, some or all of 702, 704, 706, 708, and 710 may come from thesingle step of securing the RFID tag to or with respect to the articleof apparel.

At 712, an environmental barrier is formed, configured to isolate anelectrical system including the antenna, the power supply, thecontroller, and the sensor, from an environmental condition. In anexample, forming the environmental barrier provides no point of ingressfor the environmental condition. In an example, the environmentalbarrier is an encapsulant and forming the environmental barriercomprises applying the encapsulant to all components of the electricalsystem. In an example, the environmental barrier is a waterproofbarrier.

At 714, the mobile device holder is coupled to or otherwise secured withrespect to the textile material of the article of apparel, mobile deviceholder configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the articleof apparel.

Examples

In Example 1, an article of apparel includes a textile material, amobile device holder, coupled to the textile material, configured tosecure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel, and anelectrical system. The electrical system includes an antenna, configuredto communicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device,positioned in relation to the holder, a power supply, coupled to theantenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated inthe antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna, acontroller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power asoutput by the power supply, and a sensor, coupled to the textilematerial, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor,configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal whenpowered by the power output by the power supply.

In Example 2, the article of apparel of Example 1 optionally furtherincludes an environmental barrier configured to isolate the electricalsystem from an environmental condition.

In Example 3, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1and 2 optionally further includes that the environmental barrier isconfigured to provide no point of ingress for the environmentalcondition.

In Example 4, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-3optionally further includes that the environmental barrier is anencapsulant applied to all components of the electrical system.

In Example 5, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-4optionally further includes that the environmental barrier is awaterproof barrier.

In Example 6, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-5optionally further includes that the antenna is secured at a location onthe textile material that is overlapped, at least in part, by the mobiledevice holder.

In Example 7, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-6optionally further includes that the antenna is secured at the locationon the textile material such that, when the mobile device is secured inthe mobile device holder, the primary antenna of the mobile device is inalignment with the antenna.

In Example 8, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-7optionally further includes that the antenna has an antenna majorsurface and the primary antenna has a primary antenna major surface, andwherein the primary antenna of the mobile device is in alignment withthe antenna when the major surfaces are substantially parallel withrespect to one another.

In Example 9, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-8optionally further includes that the antenna has a primary axis and theprimary antenna has a primary axis, and wherein the primary antenna isin alignment with the antenna when the primary axes are substantiallycoaxial.

In Example 10, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 1-9optionally further includes that the electrical system comprises aplurality of antennas including the antenna, the plurality of antennasbeing secured to the textile material with respect to the holder suchthat the primary antenna is communicatively coupleable with at least oneof the plurality of antennas.

In Example 11, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples1-10 optionally further includes that the plurality of antennas includea first antenna configured to communicate according to a firstcommunication modality and a second antenna configured to communicateaccording to a second communication modality different than the firstcommunication modality.

In Example 12, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples1-11 optionally further includes that the at least one of the pluralityof antennas is substantially overlapped by the holder and at least oneof the plurality of antennas is not substantially overlapped by theholder.

In Example 13, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples1-12 optionally further includes that the controller is configured toreceive the sensor signal and transmit data indicative of the sensorsignal to the mobile device via the antenna.

In Example 14, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples1-13 optionally further includes that the electrical system furtherincludes an electronic data storage and wherein the controller isconfigured to store data indicative of the sensor signal in theelectronic data storage.

In Example 15, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples1-14 optionally further includes that the electrical system furtherincludes an electronic data storage and wherein the controller isconfigured to store data received from the mobile device via the antennain the electronic data storage.

In Example 16, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples1-15 optionally further includes that the electrical system furtherincludes an electronic data storage and wherein the controller isconfigured to transmit data stored in the electronic data storage to themobile device via the antenna.

In Example 17, a method of making an article of apparel includescoupling a mobile device holder to a textile material of the article ofapparel, mobile device holder configured to secure a mobile device withrespect to the article of apparel, securing an antenna, configured tocommunicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, inrelation to the holder, securing a power supply, coupled to the antenna,with respect to the textile material, the power supply configured tooutput power based on a current as generated in the antenna whencommunicatively coupled with the primary antenna, securing a controllerwith respect to the textile material, the controller coupled to thepower supply and operable based on the power as output by the powersupply, and securing a sensor with respect to the textile material, thesensor coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to thecontroller via a conductor and configured to detect a sensor conditionand output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the powersupply.

In Example 18, the method of Example 17 optionally further includesforming an environmental barrier configured to isolate an electricalsystem including the antenna, the power supply, the controller, and thesensor, from an environmental condition.

In Example 19, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples 17and 18 optionally further includes forming the environmental barrierprovides no point of ingress for the environmental condition.

In Example 20, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-19 optionally further includes that the environmental barrier is anencapsulant and forming the environmental barrier comprises applying theencapsulant to all components of the electrical system.

In Example 21, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-20 optionally further includes that the environmental barrier is awaterproof barrier.

In Example 22, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-21 optionally further includes securing the antenna is at a locationon the textile material that is overlapped, at least in part, by themobile device holder.

In Example 23, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-22 optionally further includes securing the antenna at the locationon the textile material is such that, when the mobile device is securedin the mobile device holder, the primary antenna of the mobile device isin alignment with the antenna.

In Example 24, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-23 optionally further includes that the antenna has an antenna majorsurface and the primary antenna has a primary antenna major surface, andwherein securing the antenna and the coupling the holder causes theprimary antenna of the mobile device to be in alignment with the antennawhen positioned in the holder such that the major surfaces aresubstantially parallel with respect to one another.

In Example 25, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-24 optionally further includes that the antenna has a primary axisand the primary antenna has a primary axis, and wherein securing theantenna and the coupling the holder causes the primary antenna to be inalignment with the antenna when the primary axes are substantiallycoaxial.

In Example 26, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-25 optionally further includes securing a plurality of antennas,including the antenna, with respect to the textile material, theplurality of antennas being secured to the textile material with respectto the holder such that the primary antenna is communicativelycoupleable with at least one of the plurality of antennas whenpositioned in the holder.

In Example 27, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-26 optionally further includes that the plurality of antennas includea first antenna configured to communicate according to a firstcommunication modality and a second antenna configured to communicateaccording to a second communication modality different than the firstcommunication modality.

In Example 28, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-27 optionally further includes securing the plurality of antennasinclude securing at least one of the plurality of antennas substantiallyoverlapped by the holder and at least one of the plurality of antennasis not substantially overlapped by the holder.

In Example 29, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-28 optionally further includes that the controller is configured toreceive the sensor signal and transmit data indicative of the sensorsignal to the mobile device via the antenna.

In Example 30, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-29 optionally further includes securing an electronic data storage ofthe electrical system with respect to the textile material and whereinthe controller is configured to store data indicative of the sensorsignal in the electronic data storage.

In Example 31, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-30 optionally further includes securing an electronic data storage ofthe electrical system with respect to the textile material and whereinthe controller is configured to store data received from the mobiledevice via the antenna in the electronic data storage.

In Example 32, the article of apparel of any one or more of Examples17-31 optionally further includes securing an electronic data storage ofthe electrical system with respect to the textile material and whereinthe controller is configured to transmit data stored in the electronicdata storage to the mobile device via the antenna.

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions describedherein. As used herein, “processor-implemented module” refers to ahardware module implemented using one or more processors.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, a processor being an example of hardware. Forexample, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed byone or more processors or processor-implemented modules. Moreover, theone or more processors may also operate to support performance of therelevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “softwareas a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations maybe performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines includingprocessors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g.,the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., anapplication program interface (API)).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithmsor symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits orbinary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g., a computermemory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing artsto convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Asused herein, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operationsor similar processing leading to a desired result. In this context,algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take theform of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of beingstored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwisemanipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using words such as“data,” “content,” “bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,”“characters,” “terms,” “numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words,however, are merely convenient labels and are to be associated withappropriate physical quantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating.” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or any suitable combination thereof), registers, orother machine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, theterms “a” or “an” are herein used, as is common in patent documents, toinclude one or more than one instance. Finally, as used herein, theconjunction “or” refers to a non-exclusive “or,” unless specificallystated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of apparel, comprising: a textilematerial; a mobile device holder, coupled to the textile material,configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article ofapparel; and an electrical system, including: an antenna, configured tocommunicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device,positioned in relation to the holder; a power supply, coupled to theantenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated inthe antenna when communicatively coupled with the primary antenna; acontroller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power asoutput by the power supply; and a sensor, coupled to the textilematerial, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor,configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal whenpowered by the power output by the power supply.
 2. The article ofapparel of claim 1, further comprising an environmental barrierconfigured to isolate the electrical system from an environmentalcondition.
 3. The article of apparel of claim 2, wherein theenvironmental barrier is configured to provide no point of ingress forthe environmental condition.
 4. The article of apparel of claim 2,wherein the environmental barrier is an encapsulant applied to allcomponents of the electrical system.
 5. The article of apparel of claim4, wherein the environmental barrier is a waterproof barrier.
 6. Thearticle of apparel of claim 1, wherein the antenna is secured at alocation on the textile material that is overlapped, at least in part,by the mobile device holder.
 7. The article of apparel of claim 6,wherein the antenna is secured at the location on the textile materialsuch that, when the mobile device is secured in the mobile deviceholder, the primary antenna of the mobile device is in alignment withthe antenna.
 8. The article of apparel of claim 7, wherein the antennahas an antenna major surface and the primary antenna has a primaryantenna major surface, and wherein the primary antenna of the mobiledevice is in alignment with the antenna when the major surfaces aresubstantially parallel with respect to one another.
 9. The article ofapparel of claim 8, wherein the antenna has a primary axis and theprimary antenna has a primary axis, and wherein the primary antenna isin alignment with the antenna when the primary axes are substantiallycoaxial.
 10. The article of apparel of claim 6, wherein the electricalsystem comprises a plurality of antennas including the antenna, theplurality of antennas being secured to the textile material with respectto the holder such that the primary antenna is communicativelycoupleable with at least one of the plurality of antennas.
 11. Thearticle of apparel of claim 10, wherein the plurality of antennasinclude a first antenna configured to communicate according to a firstcommunication modality and a second antenna configured to communicateaccording to a second communication modality different than the firstcommunication modality.
 12. The article of apparel of claim 10, whereinthe at least one of the plurality of antennas is substantiallyoverlapped by the holder and at least one of the plurality of antennasis not substantially overlapped by the holder.
 13. The article ofapparel of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive thesensor signal and transmit data indicative of the sensor signal to themobile device via the antenna.
 14. The article of apparel of claim 1,wherein the electrical system further includes an electronic datastorage and wherein the controller is configured to store dataindicative of the sensor signal in the electronic data storage.
 15. Thearticle of apparel of claim 1, wherein the electrical system furtherincludes an electronic data storage and wherein the controller isconfigured to store data received from the mobile device via the antennain the electronic data storage.
 16. The article of apparel of claim 1,wherein the electrical system further includes an electronic datastorage and wherein the controller is configured to transmit data storedin the electronic data storage to the mobile device via the antenna. 17.A method of making an article of apparel, comprising: coupling a mobiledevice holder to a textile material of the article of apparel, mobiledevice holder configured to secure a mobile device with respect to thearticle of apparel; and securing an antenna, configured tocommunicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, inrelation to the holder; securing a power supply, coupled to the antenna,with respect to the textile material, the power supply configured tooutput power based on a current as generated in the antenna whencommunicatively coupled with the primary antenna; securing a controllerwith respect to the textile material, the controller coupled to thepower supply and operable based on the power as output by the powersupply; and securing a sensor with respect to the textile material, thesensor coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to thecontroller via a conductor and configured to detect a sensor conditionand output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the powersupply.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming anenvironmental barrier configured to isolate an electrical systemincluding the antenna, the power supply, the controller, and the sensor,from an environmental condition.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinforming the environmental barrier provides no point of ingress for theenvironmental condition.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein theenvironmental barrier is an encapsulant and forming the environmentalbarrier comprises applying the encapsulant to all components of theelectrical system.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the environmentalbarrier is a waterproof barrier.
 22. The method of claim 17, whereinsecuring the antenna is at a location on the textile material that isoverlapped, at least in part, by the mobile device holder.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein securing the antenna at the location on thetextile material is such that, when the mobile device is secured in themobile device holder, the primary antenna of the mobile device is inalignment with the antenna.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein theantenna has an antenna major surface and the primary antenna has aprimary antenna major surface, and wherein securing the antenna and thecoupling the holder causes the primary antenna of the mobile device tobe in alignment with the antenna when positioned in the holder such thatthe major surfaces are substantially parallel with respect to oneanother.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the antenna has a primaryaxis and the primary antenna has a primary axis, and wherein securingthe antenna and the coupling the holder causes the primary antenna to bein alignment with the antenna when the primary axes are substantiallycoaxial.
 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising securing aplurality of antennas, including the antenna, with respect to thetextile material, the plurality of antennas being secured to the textilematerial with respect to the holder such that the primary antenna iscommunicatively coupleable with at least one of the plurality ofantennas when positioned in the holder.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein the plurality of antennas include a first antenna configured tocommunicate according to a first communication modality and a secondantenna configured to communicate according to a second communicationmodality different than the first communication modality.
 28. The methodof claim 26, wherein securing the plurality of antennas include securingat least one of the plurality of antennas substantially overlapped bythe holder and at least one of the plurality of antennas is notsubstantially overlapped by the holder.
 29. The method of claim 17,wherein the controller is configured to receive the sensor signal andtransmit data indicative of the sensor signal to the mobile device viathe antenna.
 30. The method of claim 17, further comprising securing anelectronic data storage of the electrical system with respect to thetextile material and wherein the controller is configured to store dataindicative of the sensor signal in the electronic data storage.
 31. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising securing an electronic datastorage of the electrical system with respect to the textile materialand wherein the controller is configured to store data received from themobile device via the antenna in the electronic data storage.
 32. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising securing an electronic datastorage of the electrical system with respect to the textile materialand wherein the controller is configured to transmit data stored in theelectronic data storage to the mobile device via the antenna.